Hurricane Willa Moves Closer To Mexico

Hurricane Willa continues to steadily weaken as it moves toward the Pacific Coast of Mexico. 

The National Hurricane Center reported the Category 3 storm's maximum sustained winds were measuring 125 miles per hour Tuesday. Willa briefly reached Category 5 status Monday. 

Forecasters predict the storm will continue weakening before it makes landfall on the west-central coast of mainland Mexico Tuesday — where some residents have already been seen boarding up their homes and businesses.

The Associated Press reported at least 19 municipalities along the coast have issued emergency declarations and thousands of people have been evacuated from low-lying areas. 

CNN reports Willa is expected to be one of the strongest storms to directly hit Mexico's Pacific coast. Forecasters predict the storm will bring life-threatening storm surge, flash flooding and heavy rain to parts of the country. 

Additional reporting from Newsy affiliate CNN.